Cell for electrolytic-bleaching plant.



No. 724,191. LPATE-NTEQD MAR; 31, 1903. LE. LANDER.

CELL FOR ELECTROLYTIC BLEACHING PLANTS. JAPPLIOIATION FILED SEPT. 22, 1902.

N0 MODEL. s sums-sum 1.

No. 724,191. PATENTED MAR. 31, 1903.

1 'L; E. LANDER.

CELL FOR ELEGTROLYTIG BLEAGHING PLANTS.

, APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 22, 1902. H0 MODEL. 7 3 -SHEETS-SHEET 2.

zeomrrzzzanfl pr PATENTED MAR; 31, 1903. LELANDBR, CELL FOR ELECTROLYTIC BLEAGHING PLANTS.. I 1 APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 22, 1902 H0 MODEL.

8 SHEETS-$153131? 3.

purposes.

UNITED STATES PATENT 'QFFICE.

LEONARD E; LANDER, OF WARREN, NEW I-IAMPsHIRirQ CELL FOR ELECTROLYTlQ-BLEACHING PLANT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 724,191, dated March 31, 1903. Application filed September 22, 1902. Serial No. 124,375. (No model.)

T0 at whom it mag concern 4 Be it known that I, LEONARD E. LANDER, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Warren, county of Grafton, State of New Hamp-' shire, have invented an Improvement in Cells for Electric-Bleaching Plants, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

This-invention relates to cellsfor. electricbleach plants, and has for its objectto provide a cell which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and which is more durable than the cells now commonly used. These cells usually have their walls formed of some suitable porous material, and in use they are filled with some solution, which by electrolysis becomes partially decomposed and liberates chlorin gas, ordinary salt brine being one familiar example of a solution of this character. An electrode, usually the anode, is suspended in the solution," and the cell itself is usually received in a suitable tank,

which constitutes the other electrode or cathode. A suitable cover is employe'd,'which is secured to the body of the :cellwith a gastight joint. Upon the passage of a current of electricity through the cell the solution is decomposed and chlorin gas is formed,which gas is collected and conveyed by suitable pipes to the tank which is used for bleaching porous walls of the cell and is collected in the receiving-tank. Usually in a bleaching plant in order to produce a suifioient quantity of the chloringas a plurality of cells, such as has been above described,is employed, each of which delivers its chlorin gas to a gas-main. It is well known that chlorin gas readily attacks and unites with certain metals, and it is impracticable therefore to construct a cell with any iron or similar metal exposed on its exterior. Accordingly it has been customary to make the body of the cells of baked clay or other suitable pottery-ware which is not afiected by chlorin gas.

. In my improved cell I employ cast-iron for the framework of the cell, but construct the 7 After the chlorin gas hasbeen' liberated from the solution'by electrolysis the solution seeps or percolates through the cell in such amanner that-the iron is entirely protected from the effects ofthechlorin gas.

My cell comprises a bag-like structure of asbestos or some other similar material, which is sufficiently porous to admit of the liquor percolating therethrough and-which is not affected by the chlorin gas which is generated. I inclose the bag in a suitable framework, which may be cast-iron or-any a sort of lining to the framework. Supported on the fromework is a cover, which will prefenamel covering or coating. The anode is suspended from the cover, and the cell is supported in the usual tank into which the liquor which seeps through the walls of: the cell is collected. By using the metallic framework having an asbestos lining the chlorin gas which is liberated is prevented from coming in'contact with the metal of the framework, thus preventing any injury to the framework.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an-elevation of two of my improved cells as they will be connected up. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of one of the cells, half'in elevation and half in vertical section. Fig. 3 is a section of the cover of the cell on the line a; m, Fig. 4. Fig. tis a top plan view of the cells, and Fig. 5 is a plan view of one battery of my cells.

Each cell is composed of a bag-like structure 3, of some suitable porous material, such as asbestos. I prefer asbestos, because it has the necessary porosity and at the same time is not affected by chlorin gas. Asbestos, however, especially whenwet, is easily torn sary, therefore, toprovide some sort of stiff ening member which protects the asbestos and serves to preserve the shape of the cell. In this embodiment of my invention such stiffening member is in the nature of a metallic framework 4, into which thev bag 3 is placed, the said bag forming, in effect, an asbestos lining for the framework. While the framework t may be of any suitable structure and shape, I prefer to make it in sections, so that it may be readily built up or taken apart, if desired.

In the form of my invention herein illuserably be of cast-iron having a porcelain other suitable material, the bag thus forming I and will not hold its shape, and it is necestrated the cell is substantially rectangular in horizontal cross-section, and each section of the rectangular frame forms one side of the entire frame and comprises the uprights 5 and the cross bars or slats 6. These sections are secured together in any suitable Way at the corners, as by bolts 7, and form, in eflect, a boxlike structure having perforated or skeletonwork sides. Each of the sections is provided with a suitable projection orseat 8, on which the bottom plate 9 of the framework rests. This framework when thus connected has a substantially solid bottom and skeleton sides and forms an outside supporting structure for the asbestos bag 3. The top of the asbestos bag is illustrated as being turned over a ring 10, surrounding the framework 4, and on said ring is supported a suitable cover 9, which will preferably be made of cast-iron, provided with a coat of porcelain. The body of the cover is provided with a suitable inwardlyprojecting shelf or ledge 11, on which a cap-plate 12 rests. The body portion of the cover has also lugs 13, which form a support for the lead cap 14 of the carbon electrode or anode 15, said lead cap 14: having a finger or projection 16, which extends through a suitable opening in the cap 12. It will be understood, of course, that the joint between the cover 9 and the body of the cell and also between the cap-plate 12 and the body of the cover and between the projection 16 of the electrode and the cover will be sealed to make a gas-tight joint by any suitable means, as by cement.

The cell is supported in a suitable tank 17, to which is connected a drip-pipe 18.

Figs. 1 and 5 show in general the Way in which the cells are connected up.

The tank 17 will be large enough to contain from six to a dozen cells, as required.

In Figs. 1 and 5 I have illustrated two batteries of cells, and the drip-pipe 18 from the tank 17 of each battery connects to a suitable drain-pipe 19.

2O designates a suitable gas conducting pipe, which will preferably be of lead, and one of which is connected at one end to the cover of each cell and at the other end to the gasmain 21, which conducts the gas to the place where it is to be used. Each cap-plate 12 has an opening 22 therein, through which the bag 3 may be filled with the brine solution, and for convenience I have herein illustrated a branch pipe 24, leading from a central main 25 and extending over and in position to deand any other means to secure this end might be used without departing from myinvention.

The tank 17 constitutes a cathode, and it is connected to the return-wire 201 of the circuit, while the anode 15 of each individual cell is connected to the main conductor 28 by a branch wire 29. With this construction each tank 17 constitutes the cathode for all of the cells of the battery contained therein, and the anodes of the cells of each battery are connected in parallel.

In the operation of the device the cells are filled to proper level with the brine solution, and then the valves 25 are partially closed, so that only enough solution flows to each cell to compensate for that which seeps through the asbestos bag, whereby a constant level in each cell ismaintained. A current of electricity is then passed through the circuit portion of the current passing through each cell, and the decomposition or electrolysis of the solution takes place, the liberated chlorin gas being conducted by the pipes 20 to the gasmain 21, which conducts the gas to the place where it is to be used, and caustic solution seeping through the asbestos bag and collecting in the tank 17, from which it drains by the drip-pipe 18 into a drain 19.

The important feature of my invention consists in making the cell in the form of a bag of asbestos or similar material and in providing a skeleton framework of iron or other suitable metal for preserving the shape of the asbestos bag and preventing it from injury.

All the chemicals or elements that are destructive to iron are retained in the bagor cell, and hence even though the framework 4 is exposed it is not injured by the chlorin gas. By providing the cast-iron cover 9 with a coating of porcelain or similar material said cover is thoroughly protected from the in jurious action of the chlorin gas.

It will be understood, of course, that the form and shape of the skeleton framework may be varied in many ways without departing from the spirit of my invention,which consists in employing a bag of asbestos or similar material for the walls of the cell and in placing the iron strengthening or supporting structure on the exterior of the bag.

I prefer to construct the bag from woven asbestos fabric, because this is tougher and can be handled even when wet; but my invention would not be departed from if the bag were made from asbestos paper.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an electrolytic cell, a tank constituting a cathode, a skeleton framework of iron supported on the bottom of the tank, an asbestos lining for the interior of the framework, said lining forming a porous receptacle to receive the liquid solution to be decomposed and also acting as a means to protect the framework from the effects of the liberated gas, a cover fitting the lining with a gastight joint, and an anode suspended from said cover.

2. In an electrolytic cell, a tank constituting a cathode, a sectional metallic framework of iron supported on the bottom of the tank, an asbestos lining for the interior of the framework, said lining forming a porous receptacle to receive the solution to be decomposed, and also serving to protect the framework from the liberated gas, a cover fitting,

the lining with a gas-tight joint, an anode suspended from the cover, and means to continuously deliver the solution to be decomposed to the receptacle.

3. In a device of the class described, a tank constituting a cathode, a sectional framework rectangular in cross-section, the sides of the framework constituting the separable sections thereof, an asbestos lining for the interior of the framework, said lining forming a porous receptacle to receive the liquid solution to be decomposed and also acting as a means to rotect the framework from the effects of the liberated'gas, a cover fitting the lining with a gas-tight joint, and an anode suspended from said cover;

4. In an electrolytic cell, a tank, a receptacle in said tank to receive the liquid to be decomposed, the walls of said receptacle being formed by an outer metallic framework having an inner asbestos lining, a cover for said receptacle forming a gas tight 'join't therewith, means to deliver continuously liquid to be decomposed'to the receptacle, and a normally open drip-pipe connected to the tank and situated below the solution in the receptacle In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LEONARD E. LANDER.

Witnesses:

G. L. HUNT, GEO. M. WILLIAMS. 

